The city of Bethlehem hosted their free pop-up arts and music fstival Live on the Greenway this past Saturday. The event was, as the name implies, held on the Bethlehem Greenway, the paved walking and biking path in South Bethlehem that runs between 3rd and 4th streets. The free outdoor event was held between 4 and 8 PM and featured vendors, food, and three stages of music, including a Tape Swap Radio stage where we hand-picked six Lehigh Valley artists to perform.

Chloe from Basement Poets kicking off the stage with a poetry reading.

Chloe from Basement Poets started the stage with a poetry reading. Basement Poets is an Allentown-based performance arts group focusing on slam poetry and movement theater. The group says it is “dedicated to creating a courageous and safe place to share stories.”

Hip-hop artist Ymmot.

Hip-hop artist Ymmot was the first musical act on the stage. Ymmot aka Tommy Anderson is a Lehigh University student who has recently been recording material at Shards in Bethlehem with Tape Swap’s Matt Molchany. This set was Ymmot’s live debut and, while only 20 minutes, featured energetic performances where he got the crowd to help with the lyrics. “I’m living life like I’m,” as the crowd answered, “supposed to be.”

Indie rock band Service Dog.

Bethlehem-based Service Dog were up next with the first full set of the day, playing for 45 minutes. The band was missing guitarist Wyatt Davidick and singer Christina Giacoletti, but the remaining members played through a set of pensive indie rock featuring acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and bass. Leo Motolese’s lead vocals delivered personal, emotive lyrics accented with backing vocals from Keiry Corniel.

Indie pop band Bren.

Up next was Bren, a Bethlehem three-piece fronted by the group’s namesake, Brenna Grealish. Bren’s set featured confessional lyrics that moved from delicate to loud. Recalling artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Liz Phair, Bren’s 45-minute set featured plenty of engaging dynamics with guitar, bass, drums propelling Brenna’s songwriting.

Shoegaze/psych rock band Catatonic Suns.

Allentown three-piece band Catatonic Suns were up next, performing at dusk. On the heels of their recent Shards Session, they attracted our stage’s largest crowd. The band’s sounds recalled early ‘90s shoegaze and grunge. Their set featured songs propelled by guitar, bass, and drums that clearly resonated with attendees. Singer Patrick Shields’ vocals washed over the crowd throughout their 45-minute set.

Garage rock band The Living Things closing out the stage for the night.

Closing out the stage as night fell was Allentown four-piece band The Living Things. The group’s garage rock sound featured a lively take on the sound pioneered by bands like the Kinks and the Sonics. Fiery guitar solos peppered the band’s energetic songs throughout their 45-minute set, keeping the crowd until about 8:20 PM when the rest of festival had closed down.